Academics and representatives from development agencies discussed how health issues impact agricultural productivity in Southeast Asia at a workshop supported by a Sydney Southeast Asia Centre Workshop Grant in 2014. The workshop fostered policy dialogue between stakeholders working with smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia and proposed a model of bringing together various academic disciplines to improve overall outcomes of investment in agricultural research and health development programs for rural communities in Southeast Asia, a model that could also benefit aid initiatives.

Gianna Bonis-Profumo produced a policy paper as part of her master’s degree, supervised by Country Coordinator for Myanmar, Professor Bill Pritchard, and Country Coordinator for Timor-Leste, Professor Robyn Alders. A specialist advisory team comprising a number of our members also provided insight into the discussion.